Two Indicted on Charges Connected to Horse Hauling Accidents

Dorian Ayache and Theresa Vincent were indicted earlier this month by a federal grand jury on charges related to the violation of U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, David Rivera, acting U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, announced Sept. 12.

The indictment charges Ayache with nine counts of violating DOT regulations, one count of conspiring to defraud the United States, and two counts of obstructing a grand jury investigation. Vincent was charged with conspiring to defraud the United States and with one count of perjury.

According to the indictment, Ayache was the owner and operator of Three Angels Farms, an interstate commercial carrier based in Lebanon, Tenn., and Vincent was the owner and supposed operator of Terri’s Farm, an interstate commercial carrier based in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

The indictment alleges that, in violation of this order, Ayache continued his commercial motor carrier operations under the name and authority of Terri’s Farm, as well as under other names. The DOT later categorized Terri’s Farm as a continuation of Three Angels Farm. The indictment also alleges that Ayache concealed and attempted to destroy emails with the intent to impair their availability for use in the grand jury investigation and that Vincent made false statements under oath to a grand jury regarding her communications with Ayache during the investigation.

If convicted, Ayache faces up to 20 years in prison on each obstruction charge, up to 5 years in prison on the conspiracy charge, and up to 1 year in prison for each charge of violating DOT regulations. Vincent faces up to 5 years in prison on both the conspiracy count and the perjury charges, if convicted.

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